Courtney Robertson says she couldn’t help falling for Ben Flajnik, whom she wound up getting engaged to on ‘The Bachelor’ in 2011. “In many ways, I felt brainwashed,” the model, who filmed for two-plus months without access to TV or social media, tells Us Weekly. “You’re so closed off!”

Now that the engagement is over, the L.A.-based Robertson, 29, regrets being duped by the show’s over-the-top romance tactics.

She recalls one date in Switzerland when the San Francisco winemaker, 30, thoughtfully brought popcorn, her favorite snack. “But I realize it wasn’t him. It was the producer,” she says.

After the show wrapped, the long-distance duo rarely saw each other and, left to his own devices, Flajnik was no Prince Charming. “Ben said he was ‘all picnicked out,'” she explains to Us.

Robertson was “shocked and hurt” when her fiance was caught kissing other women in February. By October, she knew it was over. “I’ve never experienced heartache like this,” Robertson tells Us. “We had baby names picked out!”

“I put up with more than I should,” she says.

But the model is now bouncing back — with Bachelorette alum Arie Luyendyk Jr., 31. “He’s a cool guy,” she says. “I’m just trying to figure out the next step.”

Of COURSE she was duped by the show’s antics. Really, not many women wouldn’t fall into that trap. All that alcohol, all those tropical vacations? I could fall in love with anyone in those settings! I mean c’mon! It’s why none of the Bachelor romances survive, because they get home – look at their partner and say “who the hell are you?”

I really feel like it’s no one’s fault. Okay, maybe it’s ABC’s fault, but hey… it makes good TV.